| Factor | 🇨🇳 China | 🇰🇷 South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Rank | #1 | #6 |
| Annual US Imports | $427B | $115B |
| Trade Agreement | None | KORUS |
| Avg Duty Rate | 19.3% (incl. Section 301) | 0% (KORUS qualifying) |
| Section 301 | ⚠ Applies | ✓ None |
| Section 232 (Steel/Alum) | 25% on steel, 10% on aluminum | Korean steel exempt from 25% S |
| Compliance Complexity | ⚠ Very High Complexity | ● Low Complexity |
Trade Agreement: No FTA
MFN Status: Normal Trade Relations (NTR)
Section 301 additional duties of 7.5%–25% apply to virtually all product categories. UFLPA rebuttable presumption applies to Xinjiang goods.
Full China Profile →Trade Agreement: KORUS FTA (0% most goods)
MFN Status: KORUS FTA Partner
Rules of origin verification is critical. Korean steel under quota system — excess quota triggers 25% Section 232.
Full South Korea Profile →The right sourcing decision depends on your product category, shipment volume, and tolerance for compliance complexity. Here's what you need to know:
South Korea benefits from the KORUS trade agreement, potentially eliminating duties on qualifying goods. China has no comparable FTA benefit.
Goods from China face Section 301 additional duties of Lists 1–4A: 7.5%–25% on most goods, significantly increasing costs. South Korea is not subject to Section 301, making it substantially cheaper for most product categories.
General tariff comparisons are useful, but the real answer depends on your specific product, shipment size, freight costs, and current exchange rates. Use our landed cost calculator to compare both origins with actual numbers.
Enter your product details to see a full duty + freight + fees breakdown for China vs South Korea side-by-side.
Tariff comparisons sourced from USITC HTS Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists as of 2026-04-05. Country of origin rules, Section 301 product lists, and trade agreement applicability change frequently. Verify all rates before making sourcing decisions. AI-assisted analysis — not legal or customs advice.